Address concerns over KCSE to safeguard credibility of exams

The probity of this year’s Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) results has been broadly called into question. Even as Education Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiangi basks in the glory of pulling another surprise by releasing results in record time, parents and other stakeholders have been confounded by the dismal showing.

More than half of the 615,773 candidates who wrote the exam failed and thus will not secure places in the university. Only 70,073 candidates attained university cut-off grade of C+. Some 350,000 candidates got grade D and below, dimming their chances of getting meaningful opportunities in the labour market. Opposition chief Raila Odinga, teachers’ unions and the Parliamentary Committee on Education have demanded an explanation.